Robert Eric Fletes

Smith Group applies an engineering approach to investment management. The firm leverages technology and fundamental research to identify companies with undiscovered growth potential, creating portfolios designed to produce attractive return patterns. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, they invest in high quality companies poised to accelerate earnings growth and exceed investor expectations. Smith Group invests, under normal market conditions, in common stocks and other equity securities. These securities may be traded over the counter or listed on an exchange. Reasons to sell a stock may include: negative earnings forecast or report, valuation concerns, company official’s downward guidance on company performance or earnings, or announcement of a buyout.

McKinley Capital invests primarily in growth equity related disciplines which includes listed and over-the-counter equities and related derivatives and swaps. The firm employs a proprietary quantitative based model screening process with a qualitative overlay to construct and manage firm disciplines and investment portfolios. They use a bottom-up growth approach to portfolio management. Their sell discipline are triggered by the following objective criteria: a consecutive and sustained deterioration in risk-adjusted relative return, estimate deceleration, negative earnings surprises, relative forward valuation multiples exceeding relative forward growth estimates, maintain risk controls on position limits, discovery of fraud, and country factors (nationalization, capital controls, etc.).

Functions as a College/University